OROVILLE — An Oroville man was arrested over the weekend in connection with reports to police he attempted to lure a child into a van at a local park.

Edward Allen Sylva, 67, was found and arrested Saturday afternoon by Oroville police. He had lived in a home in Oroville for more than 20 years, but lost it about eight months ago and has been living as a transient, according to Sgt. John Bruschi in a phone call today.

The police first received reports around 12:30 p.m. Saturday of a man who reportedly asked a child to enter his van in the parking lot of USA Park on Fifth Avenue and Pomona Street.

The license plate number and a photo of the suspect vehicle obtained by witnesses in the area led to the identity of Sylva as the registered owner, according to an Oroville Police Department press release.

Officers investigating the case learned a 4-year-old girl had been at the USA park on Friday with her family and was approached by Sylva then. He allegedly asked her if she wanted to go into his van to use the bathroom.

The child began to scream and alerted her mother. The family then moved to Hewitt Park on Baldwin Avenue. A short time later, the girl's mother noticed the van driving around the park.

Police were not notified at that time, Bruschi said Monday.

On Saturday, the family returned to USA Park and again saw Sylva and his van, according to police.

The mother of the 4-year-old told other people at the park and adjacent Little League field about what had happened Friday.

Citizens confronted Sylva, took photos of his van by cellphone and called Oroville Police Department.

Sylva took off before police arrived.

Officers were informed that Sylva may have approached other children on Friday and Saturday, asking them if they wanted to go into the van and go to the bathroom, Bruschi said.

Officers located Sylva around 1:25 p.m. Saturday in his van at the Nelson Sports Complex in Thermalito. He was later positively identified and arrested.

Police are attempting to identify and interview additional witnesses and possible victims.

Bruschi said police interviewed a 5-year-old boy and his parents on Sunday who were at the USA Park for a birthday party on Saturday.

Bruschi said the boy was contacted by a woman and a man who produced suspicious pictures to show him.

"We're investigating it to determine who the people are and if it's related," he said.

Bruschi added that Sylva has been going to the fields and parks in the area for 22 years.

"He brings buckets of softballs and hits those," Bruschi said.

The sergeant also said there have been recent complaints from people reporting seeing Sylva at schools, parks and on the levee.

Bruschi said Sylva has no prior criminal history.

Sylva was booked into Butte County Jail on suspicion of attempted lewd acts with a child and annoying/molesting a minor.

He remains in custody and is expected to appear in court Tuesday, Bruschi said.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oroville PD Investigations Unit at 538-2459.